Debate Worksheet: Part 1 Test

Debate lesson 8: Part 1 test: arguments · Set 170 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Point, proof, link — and no tricks): Find the topic of the question: argument parts, fact or opinion, evidence, sides, rebuttal, fallacy or linking word. Use that lesson’s tip — claim, evidence, reasoning; can it be checked?; relevant, specific, reliable; agree or disagree?; answer the point; name the broken step; show the link. Read every option before you choose.

1. 1.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? In a debate on homework: “Mount Everest is very tall.” (a) not reliable (b) not relevant (c) not specific
2. 2.🔗 “Homework helps us practise. ___, too much homework causes stress.” Which fits? (a) However (b) So (c) For instance (d) Because
3. 3.🔎 Before using a number in a debate, you should… (a) round it to 100 (b) hide the source (c) make it bigger (d) check where it came from
4. 4.🛡️ They said “Homework helps us practise.” Which reply answers this point? (a) I like football (b) we can practise in class (c) you are a show-off (d) homework is boring
5. 5.⚖️ Motion: “Homework should be optional.” Which side does this point support? “Without set homework, many students would forget the day’s lesson.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) Pink is a lovely colour. (b) Samosas are tastiest. (c) Plants need water. (d) Puzzles are great fun.
7. 7.🧩 Which words often start a piece of reasoning? (a) “This shows that…” (b) “Once upon a time…” (c) “Goodbye…” (d) “Hello, everyone…”
8. 8.🧩 What does reasoning do? (a) links proof to the claim (b) repeats the claim (c) adds a new topic (d) ends the debate
9. 9.🔎 Strong or weak evidence: “Everybody knows it.”? (a) weak evidence (b) strong evidence
10. 10.🛡️ What is a rebuttal? (a) answering their point (b) repeating your point (c) a personal attack (d) thanking the judges
11. 11.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “Practice can happen in class, where the teacher can help.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) attacks the person (c) dodges the point
12. 12.🧩 Which is the best evidence for “Our school needs more dustbins”? (a) “my friend agrees” (b) “I feel it” (c) a count of litter (d) “dustbins are green”
13. 13.True or false: “Some people say it helps somehow.” — this is weak because its source is not reliable. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.🔎 Why is this weak evidence? “A forwarded message says so.” (a) not specific (b) not reliable (c) not relevant
15. 15.🛡️ When you rebut, what do you do first? (a) laugh at them (b) raise your voice (c) change the topic (d) state their point fairly
16. 16.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “Daily exercise keeps children fit and healthy.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
17. 17.True or false: “If students choose one book, next they will want to choose every lesson.” is a slippery slope. (a) False (b) True
18. 18.True or false: “this is because” gives a reason. (a) True (b) False
19. 19.🔗 “Exercise keeps us fit, ___ every school needs a sports period.” Which fits? (a) because (b) for example (c) however (d) so
20. 20.True or false: “A forwarded message says so.” — this is weak because it is not relevant to the topic. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: In a debate on saving water: “My favourite colour is green.” — this is weak because it is not specific (no who, what or how many). (a) False (b) True
22. 22.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” True or false: the point “Schools would need kitchens, which cost a lot.” opposes the motion. (a) False (b) True
23. 23.⚖️ Motion: “Every student should learn to cook at school.” Which side does this point support? “It helps children help their families at home.” (a) against the motion (b) for the motion
24. 24.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Cooking is risky for students.” Reply: “With teachers watching and simple tools, it can be done safely.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) dodges the point (c) attacks the person
25. 25.🔗 What does “due to” do in an argument? (a) shows the other side (b) gives a reason (c) shows a result (d) adds an example
26. 26.🧐 An opinion is… (a) a proven number (b) always true (c) a measured result (d) what someone thinks
27. 27.🛡️ What kind of reply is this? They said “Homework helps us practise.” Reply: “You only say that to please the teacher.” (a) a fair rebuttal (b) dodges the point (c) attacks the person
28. 28.🔎 Which source is most reliable in a debate on saving water? (a) a chat forward (b) an unsigned poster (c) a guess (d) the city water board
29. 29.🧐 How can you check a fact? (a) trust a rumour (b) guess (c) ask a stranger (d) use a reliable source
30. 30.True or false: “All my friends skip breakfast, so it must be fine.” is the everyone-does-it fallacy. (a) True (b) False
31. 31.🔎 What makes evidence strong? (a) old and vague (b) loud and long (c) funny and short (d) relevant and reliable
32. 32.🧩 Claim, evidence or reasoning? “In our class survey, 30 of 40 students said they read more when given time.” (a) evidence (b) a claim (c) reasoning
33. 33.True or false: “This shows that students choose fruit when it is easy to buy.” is a claim — the point being argued. (a) False (b) True
34. 34.True or false: “Science is exciting.” is an opinion — it is what someone thinks. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.🚩 Which fallacy attacks the speaker instead of the idea? (a) attacking the person (b) slippery slope (c) false either/or (d) everyone does it
36. 36.True or false: They said “Cooking is risky for students.” Reply: “My mother makes very tasty dal.” — this is a fair rebuttal, as it answers the point. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.🚩 Which fallacy is this? “Tara can’t be right about homework — she supports the other cricket team.” (a) attacking the person (b) slippery slope (c) everyone does it (d) false either/or
38. 38.⚖️ Motion: “Every school should have a daily sports period.” Which side does this point support? “A daily sports period would take time from other subjects.” (a) for the motion (b) against the motion
39. 39.Which of these is an opinion — it is what someone thinks? (a) Dogs beat cats as pets. (b) A year has 12 months. (c) Ice is frozen water. (d) Earth orbits the Sun.
40. 40.True or false: the school library’s record of books borrowed is strong evidence. (a) False (b) True

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